Monday, May 16, 2011

A Lamp Makeover Story.

One of my favorite things is to look how someone takes something old and turns it into something new and exciting!  Today I am super excited to share with you a project that I have been wanting to do for awhile.

Awhile ago I picked up this magazine from the store:


I found so many fun projects in it, but one stood out to me. They gave the idea to make over a lamp by using a paint marker on it.  So that is exactly what I did! 

Sounds a little TLCish right?! 

 First, I found an old lamp at a thrift store in town.  It was perfect for the makeover...good shape and super ugly!  It took just a few steps before I had my final product, which I am in LOVE with!


I taped it up with painter's tape and  spray painted it a nice yellow.


Then I took off the tape (it's amazing what a little spray paint can do!).

I found some paint markers at Michaels.  They weren't as thin as I would have liked, but they did the trick.  Do you love to doodle on paper?   Then this project is perfect for you!  You simply start at the top (so your hand doesn't run over the drawn design as you are working!) and work your way to the bottom.  Draw any design. I drew a simple flower and added some swirls and lines to finish off the initial part of my design. I decided it needed a little oomph, and the gold seemed to do the trick.  By simply outlining in gold paint, it came out just the way I was imagining.

Enjoy some of the details:


Some things to note:
*Don't be worried about messing up.  Can you really mess up a doodle? Just keep building on to it. If you are really worried, sketch some designs out on a paper and then go at it!
*Work slowly and keep your hand steady.

I opted on a design that wrapped around one side and added a little design around the top to add a little visual interest.

Isn't it so fun? I have been looking all over my house since to find other things I can paint. I think I have found a new fun hobby!:)



22 comments:

Rita said...

I love it! You definitely should submit this to better after!

Sylvie Créative - Créations Ma Déco Maison said...

Congratulations Kiki! So nice and cute!

Barbie said...

beautiful! way better than anything you'd find in a store!

Unknown said...

I really really really like this. I need to find myself a thrift lamp to do over. I also need to hear more about this awesome table. Did you make/paint it?

Mandi@TidbitsfromtheTremaynes said...

OMGsh I adore. Adore!

claudia b said...

this is GORGEOUS!!!

Jamie said...

I love this idea! I haven't been lucky enough to find a lamp like this to repaint.

Lindsay @ Delighted Momma said...

So I was googling..LOVE google..lamp makeovers and yours popped up!! I love the finished product..

Delighted Momma

Andrew Thornton said...

Great make-over! That's one hot lamp!

Beckie said...

WOW this is totally amazing!! I love the colors they would be so perfect in my house...I may have to be brave and totally try this some time! Thanks for such a great and fun idea

Heidi Perez said...

AWEsome!! That would be fun to do on a white fridge or an old pot or... probably anywhere! That turned out so, SO cool.

Kat said...

Great Job! I'm so impressed :) I have a huge fan of yellow too. Found you via vintage revivals glad I did!

kat@indignantcorgi.com (not liz lol)

Tamarynn Leigh said...

Love, love, love this!!! Wish I could freehand that, but I'm a wimp and would have to make some sort of stencil. Great job!!!

Unknown said...

What a great makeover. So impress you drew those flowers by hand! Love the color, too.

Ali Richardson said...

I absolutely LOVE this! I love those ugly old lamps with great shape. SO much potential and you nailed it!

content2be said...

I would never have guessed it was so simple. I thought for sure you used some Cricut cut-out (which I don't have). Love that anyone can do this with a few simple tools!

Erin (Out on a Limb) said...

Gorgeous! Thanks for inspiring me. Off to the Goodwill store I go...

Esther said...

Absolutely gorgeous!!

Meg said...

BEAUTIFUL!! Well done!!

Heidi von Weitzer said...

Kiki, fun project, I love it. One of my dearest things to do, is to find something discarded and create a new use for it. In your "lamp case" you won the daily double. Thanks for your inspirations.

Heidi

Corinna said...

This is gorgeous! This is something I would totally buy in a store!

Kari Sweeten said...

Absolutely BEAUTIFUL! Thank you so much for sharing!